Crime Library - Suspects List

"Somebody has killed father!"

(Inquest, pg.128, Mrs. Churchill quoting Lizzie Borden)

This catalogue of suspect names is the result of a comprehensive survey of multiple sources that detail the Borden crime. The list includes peripheral as well as major characters who were suspicious enough to be included in the investigation. Considering the multitude of names or just vague descriptions collected as leads in the case by police, lawyers and private detectives in their quest for a culprit, it is remarkable that their efforts produced a single viable suspect, in the person of Lizzie Borden, in so short a period of time.

Since Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted June 20, 1893 of the murder of Abby and Andrew Borden, the following list of remaining candidates is presented to assist armchair detectives in the possible solution of the crime.

Major Suspects In The Borden Case

DAVID ANTHONY — An Annotated Bibliography of the Borden Murders, Lizzie Andrew Borden Web-site: The Ellsworth American, Ellsworth, ME, Jan. 2, 1985: "A Solution to the 1892 Crime? : Ruby Cameron Says David Anthony Murdered Lizzie Borden's Parents." Also, Bernard Sullivan, Providence Journal Bulletin, Jan. 13, 1985, C1-C2: "Maine Woman Says Lizzie Borden Told Her The Real Killer." Also, Leonard Rebello. Lizzie Borden; Past and Present, 1999, pg. 138- 9:

84 year-old Ruby Francis Cameron of Cherryfield, Maine, made national headlines when she claimed that David Anthony, who wanted to marry Lizzie, killed the Bordens. There has been no confirmation to prove David Anthony, Jr., committed the 1892 murders. Miss Cameron died Nov. 18, 1985.

EMMA BORDEN — Frank Spiering. Lizzie: The Story of Lizzie Borden, 1984.

LIZZIE BORDEN — Victoria Lincoln. A Private Disgrace: Lizzie Borden By Daylight, 1967, 1986: Lizzie kills the Bordens during an epileptic seizure. Also, Edmund Lester Pearson. The Trial of Lizzie Borden, 1937. Also, Edwin H. Porter, The Fall River Tragedy, 1893. Also, Robert Sullivan. Goodbye, Lizzie Borden, 1974.

WILLIAM S. BORDEN — Arnold R. Brown. Lizzie Borden: The Legend, The Truth, The Final Chapter, 1991: Brown theorizes that Andrew Borden had an illegitimate son named Billy Borden who killed Andrew and Abby. Lizzie knew and helped cover up the crime. Controversial. Also, Rebello, pg. 130.

DR. SEABURY BOWEN — Washington D.C. Chief of Police, vol. iv., no.4, July / August, 1989: "Death of a Massachusetts Trojan," pg. 34-45. Also, Rebello, pg. 136:

Richard Powers . . . a retired state prison guard and Maryland historian, posed the theory . . . that Dr. Seabury Bowen . . . who lived across the street . . . killed Andrew and Abby Borden and removed the murder weapon . . . in his doctor's bag. Powers suggested there were ill feelings between the doctor and the Bordens.

Also, The Witness Statements, Fall River, MA, 1997, pg. 6: Dr. Bowen burns paper possibly with the name "Emma" on it in kitchen stove, in front of Harrington.

Also, The Witness Statements, Fall River, MA, 1997, pg. 21:

Doctor Bowen's character is at least suspicious, Mrs. Jane Grey [sic].

Also, Michael Martins and Dennis Binette, eds., The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Lizzie A. Borden: The Knowlton Papers, 1892- 1893, Fall River Historical Society, 1994, letter #HK113, pg. 117, unsigned, dated Dec.2, 1892:

. . . on the day of the murder I was coming towards Fall River . . . I met Dr. Bowen and a young man in a Carrage, driveing so fast that . . . I thought at the time that someone was dieing . . . I am well acquainted with Him, but I never saw Him look so wild . . . it was about 15 minutes to eleven . . . the Doctor had hold of the reins with both hands, driving for dear life. has Dr. Bowen ever been questioned were He was on the morning of the Murder. this is the truth and nothing but the truth.

WILLIAM A. DAVIS — Fritz Adilz. "An Armchair Solution to the Borden Mystery," Lizzie Borden Quarterly [Summer 1994 plus 6 more issues (see Bibliographies- Web-site)]: William Davis as assassin, in collusion with Morse. Davis is the son of Morse's old friend Isaac Davis, butcher, who used to employ Morse, and with whom he lived for a time. Lizzie was guilty but did not actually kill with her own hands.

HIRAM HARRINGTON — Inquest Upon the Deaths of Andrew J. and Abby D. Borden Aug. 9- 11, 1892, Vol. I, Fall River Historical Society, pg. 50:

I know of one man who has not been friendly with him [Andrew Borden]; they have not been friendly for years . . . Mr. Hiram Harrington. [Lizzie Borden's testimony].

JOHN V. MORSE — Muriel Arnold. Lizzie Borden: Pictorial and Historical- The Hands of Time, 1999: Morse and Bridget combined to assassinate the Bordens. Also, Rebello, pg. 123, Fall River Daily Globe, Tues., Aug . 9, 1892: 2, "'Lizzie and Morse, Fish Believes They Concocted the Deed, And Hired Some One to Commit the Double Murder, Girls Never on Good Terms with Their Stepmother, He Says."

Mr. George Fish was married to Abby Borden's sister, Priscilla B. Gray. He believed Lizzie and her uncle John V. Morse planned the murders but hired someone to commit the murders. His theory was quickly denied by his family.

NOBODY — Todd Lunday. The Mystery Unveiled: The Truth About the Borden Tragedy: Fresh Light That Must Be Convincing to All Readers, 1893: Since Lizzie is acquitted, attempts to prove that "Nobody" committed the crimes.

BRIDGET SULLIVAN — Edward Radin. Lizzie Borden: The Untold Story, 1961. Also, Muriel Arnold's The Hands of Time.

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